Concerto de Páscoa –
Te Deum de Bruckner

This version of the hymn Te Deum laudamus, a clear demonstration of the vehemence of Anton Bruckner’s Faith, was premiered in January 1886 at the Vienna Musikverein. Gustav Mahler, a great admirer of his, wrote in his copy of the score: «for choir, soloists, orchestra and organ ad libitum and for seekers of God and chastened hearts.» Bruckner considered the work the «pride of his life.» The beginning immediately places us in an intense environment, with the choir in unison proclaiming the praise of God in a strong tone, an environment that alternates with peaceful sections and others that are almost apocalyptic. It is one of the most vehement manifestations of Faith in all of 19th century music.
The other work on the program is Leoš Janáček’s Glagolitic Mass, premiered in Brno at the end of 1927 and considered one of the most notable and crucial religious works of the first half of the 20th century. The work follows the Ordinary of the Catholic Mass, but it uses the ancient Slavic language instead of the Latin. Hence its title. Like Bruckner’s work, it begins with an exuberant demonstration of Faith, musically embodied by triumphant fanfares dominated by brass. With this work, Janáček attempted to celebrate Slavic culture.